Royal Portrush (Valley)
Clandeboye (Dufferin)
Thirteen miles east of Belfast, on the outskirts of Newtownards,
lies one of Northern Ireland’s top golf clubs. There are two very
different courses here and the Dufferin is the main event. It is a
quality course routed over heathland-like bumpy terrain at the
top before slipping down into more classic parkland mode. This is
where the big trees dominate and holes curve graciously between
them. Fairways are often generous but the trees need to be avoided
constantly. It is not long so be straight. The par four 4th is Dufferin’s
best and hardest hole, curling left, tightly through the trees. The
green is completely surrounded by trees and gorse, so a precise
approach is required. The second course, the Ava, is short, quirky
and has lots of spirit.
Narin & Portnoo
Stand on what will be the new 8th tee (once Gil Hanse’s renovations
are completed this year) and prepare to experience the beauty of
Narin & Portnoo, and Ireland’s splendour. No other tee box in Ireland
comes this close to the sea. It is inches away and when you play the
enchanting, short and downhill par four 7th there appears to be no
room behind the green for the next tee box… but it’s there. The 9th
promises something similar. Fresh and inspiring, raw and beautiful,
this is the essence of Irish links golf. The entire stretch of holes at
the farthest end of the course, from the 5th to the 11th, is absolutely
astounding.
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Portsalon
Portsalon still embraces the mantle of hidden gem. Perhaps that is a
result of its north Donegal location but, for those prepared to make
the journey, they will discover a natural links of beauty and quality,
rippling through a captivating setting of mountains, beach and sea.
Not only does the acclaimed Ballymastocker Strand press right up
to the dunes through which Portsalon rumbles, but it comes in to
play on the 2nd hole. You’ll also have to cross a river… twice. There
are many more classic links holes here, streaking alongside the beach
and over strong, swinging dunes. The back nine may slip inland but,
if anything, fairways and holes become more shapely and show off
more of the views. There is one final special flourish to note… the
superb and natural greens, two of which are doubles.
Royal Portrush (Valley)
The Valley has always played second fiddle to its Dunluce
Championship sibling, but this is a par 70 course designed by Harry
Colt, and recently upgraded by Mackenzie & Ebert. Routed over the
lower land between the gargantuan dune that defends it from the
sea and the Dunluce that rises above it on the other border, this is a
terrific, tumbling links. The fairways are beautifully unpredictable, the
greens sit over humps and hollows and you’ll be tested all day long.
It may start out looking straightforward but it only takes a few holes
for you to appreciate the shapes of the land (especially the end of
both nines) and the challenges of the greens. A new finishing stretch
has packed quite the extra punch, bringing the biggest dunes into
play.